Love and Let Die

Love and Let Die - John Higgs -Two Stars ☆☆ 

I have been a fan of The Beatles and Bond movies since 1964. But I was never one to run out into the weeds looking for "facts." (Unless you count playing a record backward a couple of times.) This book is filled with trivia like the bird sounds on "Tomorrow Never Knows" is Paul's laughter speeded up. And then there are Higgs' psychological interpretations. And psychological interpretations are like opinions, everyone has one.

 Not a book I would reread, hence the two stars. 

George W. Parker

 

Ike’s Spies

 

Ike’s Spies - Stephen E. Ambrose -Two Stars ☆☆ 

I don't foresee myself rereading this book.

The book has a lot of interesting facts about Ike's nurturing of the CIA and his leadership style. You can see why other countries distrust us when you read about our blithely organizing, backing, and forcing governmental changes around the globe often creating the problems we were trying to solve.

It's not a history I am proud of as an American.

George W. Parker

The Pirates of Shan

 The Pirates of Shan - John Blaine - Five Stars ☆☆☆☆☆

I have read it several times and I will read it again.

This is my favorite Rick Brant Science-Adventure story. It's a middle school-level adventure story where Rick, Scotty, and Chahda travel through the Philippine archipelago fending off pirates as they search for their missing friends.

I first read this when I was in middle school. Now my youngest grandson is in middle school. When I recently reread the book I followed the boys' trip using Google Maps and Wikipedia which added another layer of entertainment to the reading.

George W. Parker

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon - Rebecca West - Five Stars ☆☆☆☆☆

Five Stars ☆☆☆☆☆ - I have read it more than once and I will read it again.

I have a complaint with this five star title. I think it should be three books: a history of the Balkans, a travelogue of the Balkans, and West's personal opinions on the Balkans. West has woven these three aspects into one mammoth book. It would be much more accessible as three titles. 

The history parts are a tour de force. The travelogue is still a great outline for visiting the area. (Watch out for the partisans.) But West's personal opinions are outdated.

George W. Parker